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Putting the Right Focus On Psalm 23

Sunday, March 20, 2016

Psalm 23 is undoubtedly the most well
known chapter in the entire Bible. I can think of no other verses that are
quoted more. The words of this chapter have brought great comfort to many in
times of adversity and trouble. It is a powerful declaration of God's promised
comfort, care, and protection for his children. However, the real intention of
this Psalm is not what God will do for us but what we must do for him. The
benefits described in this chapter are simply a result of something much
bigger. To read Psalm 23 correctly we must come to the understanding that the
focus is not what we will get from God but what we must give to God. With that
said, take a moment and read that chapter in that context.

The Lord pointed out to me recently that
we have been reading this the wrong way. Look at the first sentence:"The Lord is my
shepherd, I shall not want."Do
you see the comma? That one little character puts the wrong emphasis on this
entire chapter. Now, see what happens when we replace that comma with a period:"The Lord is my
shepherd."Period!That punctuation mark changes
everything.

We tend to focus on everythingafterthat first phrase. We want the prize
but overlook the requirement to receive it.We
tend to focus on the gifts rather than on the Gift-Giver!We spend an inordinate amount of time
and energy striving aftergetting
our needs met, finding green pastures and still waters, a restored soul, peace
and courage in the valley of the shadow of death, confirmation of his presence,
comfort, anointing, abundance, peace with our enemies, goodness and mercy, and
finally, eternal security. What we fail to do is spend our time making him
our Shepherd. The focus of Psalm 23 is the first five words with a period after
it. Until we make the Lord our Shepherd, the sole focus and guide of our lives,
we will never truly experience the rest of the chapter.

I hope you are beginning to see this Psalm
in a brand new light. You see,Psalm
23 is not about us. It is about Him!The
goal of this chapter is not the things we get out of it. The goal is making God
the true Shepherd of our lives. The rest of the chapter is simply a byproduct
of that. Those things are the fruit of a life led by the true Shepherd. This
should be our declaration as we begin each day:"The Lord is my Shepherd! That's
all I need."

Who or what is directing your life? You,
circumstances, or is God truly your Shepherd? Make it your sole purpose today
to make him your one, true Shepherd. It will literally change your life!